North Louisiana’s Shreveport is the third-largest city in the state and holds the title of being the 109th largest city in the United States of America. Shreveport is situated along the Red River, which separates it from its neighboring town and sister city, Bossier City, and is about a 3.5-hour drive from Lake Charles. It is a city worth a visit, and if you’re looking for accommodations, there are stay options such as hotels with smoking rooms and hotels with or near casinos such as Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport. Here are some things to do in Shreveport, Louisiana.
1. Explore marine life at Shreveport Aquarium
Shreveport Aquarium is perfect for families visiting the city, featuring more than 300 animal species. Here, you can explore the rich marine life of the city and witness them in their natural habitat. Some of the animals found here are sharks, turtles, and seahorses. You can feed stingrays and even touch sea stars, offering a unique and educational experience for both you and your kids.
Shreveport Aquarium
Address: 601 Clyde Fant Pkwy, Shreveport, LA 71101, United States
Website: Shreveport Aquarium
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 10am - 5pm
Price: 15 USD
2. Try local beers at Great Raft Brewing
If trying local brews is part of your itinerary, then you may want to consider visiting Great Raft Brewing. It features a tasting room where guests can enjoy numerous tap beers, such as IPAs, Berliner Weisse, and lagers. Brewery tours are also offered here, so you can witness the whole process of how the place creates great beer. There are lots of events happening throughout the week, such as bingo nights and movie quotes trivia.
Great Raft Brewing
Address: 1251 Dalzell St, Shreveport, LA 71104, United States
Website: Great Raft Brewing
Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 4pm - 8pm; Fri: 4pm - 9pm; Sat: 12pm - 9pm (closed from Sun - Tue)
3. Unwind at Red River District
If you are looking for some great spots to unwind, you can head to Red River District. Whether you are visiting solo, with your partner, or a couple of friends, this place is a great destination. It is lively, featuring numerous dining and entertainment options. You can even enjoy live music while you admire gorgeous river views while you are here. There are pubs and bars on the premises as well, perfect for those who wish to explore the city’s bustling nightlife.
Red River District
Address: 500 Clyde Fant Pkwy, Shreveport, LA 71101, United States
Website: Red River District
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4. Check out the exhibits at R. W. Norton Art Gallery
Not sure what to do in Shreveport? Visit this interesting American and European art gallery and museum. The exhibits inside are impressive to see, but equally impressive and beautiful are the landscaped grounds and botanical gardens that surround the museum. Here, many varieties of plants, including azaleas, bloom in spring. It is a great place to walk along the paths, winding through the flowers. Southern Living Magazine named the garden “one of the South’s favorite spots” since there is always something sweet growing here any time of the year.
R. W. Norton Art Gallery
Address: 4747 Creswell Ave, Shreveport, LA
Website: R. W. Norton Art Gallery
5. Walk around Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park
This is a 160-acre (64.7-hectare) nature park in Shreveport that houses an interpretive building that has 3 rooms of live animals, other exotic animal exhibits, and all kinds of exhibits of the natural world to explore and enjoy. This park with lots of activities to offer is home to an amphitheater, an herb garden and several picnic areas. There is also an aviary that has a variety of captive raptors and 5 miles (8 kilometers) of scenic hiking trails through a pine-oak-hickory forest at this exciting natural habitats park.
Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park
Address: 8012 Blanchard Furrh Rd, 71107 Shreveport, LA
6. Visit Jubilee Zoo
Spending a fun family day in Shreveport soon? Jubilee Zoo is a zoo that is not just great for little kids, but also families. If you want fun things to do in Shreveport with family, here is where you will find a lot of fun activities like pony rides, bounce houses, exotic animals, a playground, and a picnic area. Last, but not least, there is a safari hayride on site. This is a really cute place for birthday parties and other such special occasions. The name says zoo, but it is actually a petting zoo and family fun area, where you can interact with the live animals! If your little ones can’t get enough of animals, take them to Shreveport Aquarium, too, which takes over 15 minutes of driving from the zoo.
Jubilee Zoo
Address: 6402 Highway 1, Shreveport, LA
Website: Jubilee Zoo
7. Learn some history at Meadows Museum of Art
This historical place and landmark is also an art museum that is home about 1,600 pieces of art, the Indochina Collection by Jean Despujols, as well as temporary art exhibitions. Since it is located on the beautiful campus of Centenary College of Louisiana on Centenary Blvd, students get to learn the fine art of museum management firsthand. Free to the public, the Meadows Museum of Art is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, which gives it the title of being the only nationally accredited museum in North Louisiana.
Meadows Museum of Art
Address: 2911 Centenary Blvd, Shreveport, LA
Website: Meadows Museum of Art
8. Take your kids to Sci-Port Discovery Center
If you’re traveling to Shreveport with your delightful family, a visit to childhood education centers with interactive exhibits is a must. Sci-Port Discovery Center is an educational place for both kids and adults and is a worthy place to visit for a fun family day. Kids can explore and interact with the many exhibits that help educate them about mathematics, science, and technology. This 92,000 square-foot science and entertainment center houses Louisiana’s only IMAX® Dome Theater, Louisiana’s Space and Science Center and the Power of Play Children’s Museum (POP). Finally, this place has won many honors which include the Best Science Attraction for Kids in Louisiana, Attraction of the Year in Louisiana, and one of Parents magazine’s top ten science centers in the nation. Visit the souvenir and gift shop, too. Just a minute by car or five minutes by foot from here is Shreveport Aquarium which you should also add to your itinerary. After your tour, take the family out for a nice meal at Herby K’s which is a seven-minute drive away from this center for kids.
Sci-Port Discovery Center
Address: 820 Clyde Fant Pkwy, Shreveport, LA
Website: Sci-Port Discovery Center
9. Tour Shreveport Water Works Museum
This is an interesting history museum in Shreveport. It highlights the town’s efforts to create a source of clean water for the city. An interesting piece of history is here, which is said to be the oldest intact collection of Victorian era waterworks equipment. The museum is registered as a Landmark and Historical Place due to its showcasing of Shreveport’s clean water history. Learn a tidbit of American History when you visit this Shreveport attraction!
Shreveport Water Works Museum
Address: 142 N Common St, Shreveport, LA
Website: Shreveport Water Works Museum
10. Check out the artifacts at Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
If you’ve ever wondered, ‘What is Shreveport known for?’ then you need to check out this Louisiana history, agriculture, industry, and art museum that opened in 1939. The fascinating museum houses approximately 23 beautiful dioramas that showcase life in Louisiana during the 1940s. The collection includes such things as Louisiana Native American artifacts, regional and national history artifacts, original works by local artists, as well as natural history exhibits that are interesting and educational. The admission is free of charge and the museum is open to the public daily, except for Saturdays and Sundays.
Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
Address: 3015 Greenwood Rd, Shreveport, LA
Website: Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
11. Splash around with family and friends at Splash Kingdom Waterpark Shreveport
Louisiana can get scorching hot, so of course, a swimming pool is a must for your visit. One of the best Shreveport attractions, this is a delightful family friendly place to enjoy over the summer. With a wide variety of outdoor adventures, this water park with lots to do features many attractions, like a wave swimming pool, a lazy river, open and closed slides and sand volleyball. The park is open daily from 11 am-6 pm, with the exception of Fridays and Saturdays, when the park is open until 7 pm. This is a place that you can spend a quality and fun family day.
Splash Kingdom Waterpark Shreveport
Address: 7670 W 70th St, Shreveport, LA
Website: Splash Kingdom Waterpark Shreveport
12. Take an Instagram-worthy photo of Ali Bahler's Call to Action mural
While touring Shreveport, be sure to make a stop at 629 Spring Street to get a good look at the incredible mural by profession artist Ali Bahler, entitled ‘Call to Action’. This colorful work of art pays homage to the city of Shreveport, with nods to its culture, festivities, music festivals, and the overall music and arts scene. Stop by during the early hours of the day, that way no cars parked along the curb will make it to your photo. This attraction is located close to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, which is only four minutes away.
Call to Action mural
Address: 629 Spring Street, Shreveport, LA
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
13. Bring your date to American Rose Center
Fond of roses? Take your special someone to American Rose Center for a romantic stroll inside this lovely rose garden and green space. The largest park dedicated to roses, the colorful flowers are definitely a sight to see. Complete with fountains, sculptures, and even a stunning reflection pool, this is a date spot that will definitely impress! The best time to visit American Rose Center is between mid-April to late May, when the roses are in full bloom.
American Rose Center
Address: 8877 Jefferson Paige Rd, Shreveport, LA 71119, United States
Website: American Rose Center
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm
14. Get your daily workout done at Betty Virginia Park
In need of a more laid-back outdoor adventure? If visiting parks are part of your routine when on holiday, then add Betty Virginia Park to your itinerary. This 9.3-hectare (23-acre) park promises a good time, with short walking trails, a children’s playground, picnic areas, and a baseball/softball field. As one of the most visited parks in Shreveport, expect to see families and crowds, especially during the weekend. Aside from family activity, this is also a great place to get your daily workout done since anyone can make use of the walking trails available. If you want to spend a day of reflection after visiting the park, head over to Holy Trinity Catholic Church which is about an eight-minute drive from here.
Betty Virginia Park
Address: 3901 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport, LA 71106, United States
Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)
15. Enjoy trampoline fun at Air U Trampoline Park
Skip the music venues for now; if you really want to bop around, do it in the most fun way by going to Air U Trampoline Park! Less than 15 minutes by car from Bossier City, this indoor trampoline park is an excellent place to have fun family vacation with your loved ones. If you’ve ever been stopped from jumping up and down on your bed, well this is a family friendly place where you don’t have to hold back. With over 10,000 square feet (929 square meters) of trampolines and foam pits, trampoline dodgeball courts, and basketball goals, everyone in your party is guaranteed an amazing time. Make jumping the trampolines a family activity, and bring all your loved ones here. Safety comes first, so enhanced sanitation and social distancing are practiced at all times at Air U Trampoline Park.
If you still have energy left after your visit, why not visit the batting cages at D-BAT Shreveport too?
Air U Trampoline Park
Address: 424 Ashley Ridge Blvd, Shreveport, LA 71106, United States
Website: Air U Trampoline Park
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 8pm; Fri: 4pm - 9pm; Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 1pm - 8pm
Price: from 8 USD
Best things to do in Shreveport
Shreveport, home to Louisiana Hayride at the Art Deco-inspired Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, is a big city in Louisiana that lies along the Red River. It has lots of museums that highlight its rich history. It is a place I love to visit and stay in for a while, since I feel right at home here. I am sure you will too, so why not spend some time exploring this exciting big city yourself. It’s a place where you’ll find places and activities like Shreveport Railroad Museum, The Logan Mansion, Caddo Lake, Barksdale AFB, music venues, rock climbing, RV parks, mini golf, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, bumper boats, and many more. For more sights to see, visit the tourist information center in the city, Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau and get your hands on the Official Shreveport-Bossier Visitors’ Guide. Stop by J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Regional Visitor Center in Bossier City, too. All in all, Shreveport is a breeze to navigate, and public transit is easily accessible too.
For other great places to stay, check out the best Airbnb vacation rentals and modern cabins also available in Shreveport.